First-line brentuximab vedotin approved for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma

medwireNews: The US FDA has given approval for the use of the antibody–drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin in patients undergoing chemotherapy for treatment-naïve stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

The decision follows positive findings from the ECHELON-1 trial comparing outcomes for patients given a regimen of doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine alongside bleomycin or brentuximab vedotin.

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The recommended intravenous infusion of brentuximab vedotin is 1.2 mg/kg up to a maximum of 120 mg every 2 weeks for 12 doses, with primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis recommended alongside chemotherapy.

Common reactions with the agent include neutropenia, anemia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, gastrointestinal side effects, and pyrexia. In addition, the treatment has a boxed warning on the risk of John Cunningham virus infection leading to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.